22069: What is the ruling on playing Pokemon?

What is the ruling on playing Pokemon?

Praise be to
Allaah.

Pokemon is clearly a kind of gambling,
in addition to the fact that it includes symbols of atheist belief whereby
the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the
mountains fall in ruins [cf. Maryam 19:90]. Exalted and sanctified be
Allaah far above what the wrongdoers say.

With regard to it being a form of gambling,
that is when two people play this game and each one competes to win
what the other one has of certain pieces which can be redeemed (for
cash) at toy stores, the value of which is established by a process
which is subject to the rules of supply and demand. They may also be
redeemed for other things, such as some fast foods or tinned goods.
The winning player may also offer them for sale to the losers so that
they can play again and so that the one who loses can get out of the
game. Undoubtedly this is the essence of gambling. This game is teaching
the children of the world how to gamble and commit evil and immoral
actions.